Film vs Digital DSLR
Quite long, but really interesting, three part web series about film vs digital. That is to say, proper movie $150k film cameras (with Kodak and Fuji top bollocks film stock) vs digital SLRs like the 7D and Nikon D3.
Stunning watch, with some proper expert contributors and really interesting and well thought out direct comparison sequences. Very well talked through by the excellent presenters, who tell you what to watch for in each of the shots.
Also features a short 'film' at the end of each episode shot on a DSLR.
Highlights include massive ISO shots that are still classed as 'completely usable' by industry types watching the footage on a proper cinema screen and a quote by a chap at the end of the final episode:
Q: So, what does this mean for film?
A: It's over.
Apologies for long description, wanted to do it justice...
Short example sequence here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QI77N7lh0M&feature=related
(, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 20:43, Share, Reply)
Watched about 10 minutes so far and it's very interesting
Thanks
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magnum, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 21:14,
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I'd be surprised if film is completely over for a while yet
simply because considering the expense of Hollywood movies where they are paying millions to get certain star actors, the cost of film vs digital isn't a big deal.
So if it's not cost, then if comes down to personal preference, and there's going to be a lot of people who'll stick with film simply because they are used to it. Changing your workflow is alarming, especially if you've got 50 other things to worry about, like you probably have running a massive shoot.
I mean. Yes digital obviously as good technically, and better in price / speed / ease of use but there's inertia in people which means film won't die overnight.
To be honest I did about 5 mins of the film and got bored and they probably addressed by points and my post is irrelevant.
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rob, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 21:14,
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Certainly the workflow thing is key
And nostalgia. People like to be able to touch the film, and there are some who feel they can edit faster by cutting manually.
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John Q Wagonwheel Spent, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 21:23,
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Definitely carving itself a niche.
Aardman used DSLRs on motion control arms for the last Wallace and Gromit, partly because they have the advantage of being very small, and therefore able to get close-in shots that wouldn't be possible with a honking great Bolex. That wouldn't be the only reason of course, the whole digital workflow must make the whole stop-motion process much more agile.
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smaggers Like a gibbon on helium, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 22:08,
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film is becoming a niche product, like vinyl
a couple of large film companies, for example, have stopped making it, and are running out their stock levels.
Digital is very attractive to filmmakers for a number of reasons:
on set, you speed up filming, as changing film on a camera is trickier than changing a casette/memory card. film can result in a 'hair in the gate' that you don't get on tape. The camera is more complex than a film camera, but a film camera is a very technical piece of kit in it's own right.
Digital distribution and projection are also massively simpler than film, and that is where the film industry sees 99% of the savings it needs to make
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mictoboy shitting in your cunt since, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 22:36,
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Funny you should say that,
One of the digital Camera techs I do film developing for has just lost a job as they decided to film it all using film instead of Red digi cameras. the name of the film escapes me but its a large major studio film!
Its also the case that a huge chunk of HD and digi work going out on the big screen is being downrated and made to look more like film as "thats what people want"
BUT, I don't think film as a movie format has long to live though, the extra benefits of working digitaly are starting to outweigh film, the storage and handling of film is quite labour intesive, not to mention the cameras that run it are often old beasts. If you can chuck 3 red cameras in the back of the DOP's motor or a flight case in with the rigging kit, it helps keep some costs down. Once it hits a tipping point the same thing that happened to film photography will happen, manufacturers will start to pull different film stock, no longer mass produce and it will become the preserve of enthusiast and people looking for the old look who don't have the pressures of working to deadlines..................
*looks lovingly at his 1951 press camera*
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Si o doom Fund me! No catering cost involved! bit.ly/1bFtzN2, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 22:40,
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I've recently got into film photography purely to experience 'real' results. This Christmas I bought myself a 1973 Olympus OM-1 35mm camera which works out cheaper than buying a retro Nikon or similar.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus_OM-1
Better still, it has a history as the previous owner took it to the Falklands conflict back in the 80's.
Takes decent quality photos, some of which are better than most taken with digi's.
Anyway, as a result of that (and also that my mates band play 60's blues style), I looked into Super8 cameras. eBay was the place again so had a nosey for things on there and compared various makes of Canon Super8 cameras by watching the results of the various models on YouTube. Got a cheapish Canon 518 which produces things like:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCeQKr7KAHw
I got into it purely because of the processes involved. You have to think before you press the trigger. The feel of the video too - there's something about the look and quality of it.
The only downside - it's bloody expensive. To get the 35mm film on cd is about £6 a pop, but you get 'free' film in return. The Super8 is about £20 a pop and takes longer to process. Soon adds up. The results are worth it and are usually a surprise as you can't review your work like with digital playback.
It's sad to see that it's slowly dwindling away like the unloved older sibling when a newborn comes along. But it is understandable I suppose.
/essay
(, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 23:40, Share, Reply)
About film photography,
Far from dwindling away, its hit a plateau and won;t change for a while I shouldn't think!
In the past year, Fuji bought out two brand new film stocks and Kodak 2 new stocks.
Its a different world to shoot film, i never shoot film for work as I can't get the turnaround and flexibility needed, but I more often than not shoot film for my own stuff and when I'm kicking around town on a day off.
There's still quite a following for film out there and it seems to be growing a bit again!
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Si o doom Fund me! No catering cost involved! bit.ly/1bFtzN2, Thu 17 Feb 2011, 0:34,
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Sorry to be a pedant
But by saying "Digital DSLR", you are falling prey to RAS Syndrome
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HoratioFellatio Taking the the out of psychotherapist, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 23:42,
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mmmmm
PIN number sends me mental.
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TriedItOnceAndDidn'tLikeIt made you lose the game on, Thu 17 Feb 2011, 1:19,
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Glad it has been enjoyed.
On of the other interesting things to come out of that video was that it will take a lot of guess work out of bringing new people into the industry. Now that the results you can get on a DSLR are basically the same as you can get on MEGA film equipment, people will be expected to produce much better projects during their education.
Oh yeah, the 'DSLR' in the title was meant to be in brackets, wanted to differentiate between DSLRs and RED cameras. The whole 'PIN number' thing drives me up the wall too.
(, Thu 17 Feb 2011, 9:06, Share, Reply)